Nationally scarce (Na) on shingle beaches and rough grassland by the sea in southern England, western Wales and Scotland; also, rarely, on calcareous grassland inland in Surrey and the Cotswolds. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight the headquarters of this species in the area are on the cliff-tops at Freshwater on the Island, and there is also a good colony at Hurst Castle on the mainland. Elsewhere, occasional presumed strays have been taken at light. Wingspan 26-32 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on various lichens.